Granulomatous cheilitis: a study of six cases.
OBJECTIVE
Granulomatous cheilitis (GC) is a very rare disorder of unknown etiology. Clinically, GC is characterised by recurrent swelling of the labial tissues, which may be followed by a permanent enlargement. Histologically, the typical form of GC is characterised by the formation of scattered aggregates of non-caseating granulomas. GC is the most frequent sign of orofacial granulomatosis, a disorder under which also encompasses sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease, atypical tuberculosis, Anderson-Fabry disease, possibly some allergic reactions, and Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS). Some consider GC as an oligosymptomatic or monosymptomatic form of MRS.


METHODS
In this study we examined the clinical records of six patients presenting with GC which were examined and treated in the Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology of the Dental School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) during a 16-year period. In five of six patients a persistent swelling of the lower lip was recorded, one of whom also developed swelling in the upper lip. In one case the swelling was present in both lips and in another the GC was the only clinical finding, while in the other five cases it was accompanied by at least one other feature of MRS. In five cases, the histological picture revealed non-caseating granulomas.


RESULTS
The treatment with the intralesional infusion of corticosteroids in three cases and the oral administration of corticosteroids in two cases was successful. One of the patients refused to be treated. This patient also presented later with permanent swelling of the upper lip.
Kolokotronis
A
A
Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Antoniades
D
D
Trigonidis
G
G
Papanagiotou
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008297:Male; D008556:Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013256:Steroids
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013256:Steroids